How to Become an ID & Records Police Officer

Additional information about specific requirements in your state and jurisdiction required for police certification including the age requirement, the education level required, and the minimum fitness requirement

A respectable credit history

No felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving domestic abuse or a sexual component

No DUIs or reckless driving convictions

To become an ID and records police officer, you must be a full-fledged police officer who has passed the required certification in your state and jurisdiction. Some states accept an associate’s degree in criminal justice at a community college while others require attendance at a state-sponsored police academy. Although there are often different tiers of certification for different levels of police officers, all require meeting a physical fitness requirement.

Step 1:

Complete the needed education. Receive a high school diploma at minimum. If you seek to excel in your field, study a field in college that would complement an ID and records police officer position, such as library science.

Step 2:

Enroll in the police certification program in your state, such as police academy completion, and meet the requirements including the physical fitness requirements, as well as in your criminal record and credit history.

Step 3:

Pass the required written and video tests in your certification. The written test usually has nothing to do with policing. It is an aptitude test that measures your reading comprehension, problem-solving and judgment skills, memory and writing skills. In the video test, you will watch a scenario and then provide a verbal response that will test your interpersonal skills and judgment.

Step 4:

Complete psychological tests associated with certification, which often include a written test that may be supplemented by an interview with a psychologist. The tests also include a polygraph test. The psychological tests evaluate your character and emotional make-up to ensure you are well suited for the job from a psychological standpoint. You will also sit before a panel of members of the hiring authority who will ask you questions about your qualifications and career pursuits.

Step 5:

Once you are certified, gain experience as a police officer in such a position as a prison or as a highway patrol officer. Police organizations usually require all police officers to gain experience as a full-fledged police officer before going into their desired niche within the law enforcement industry. The required experience may be a minimum of three months, a year or longer. Work hard to maintain an excellent attendance record and show your enthusiasm by being a team player and being willing to take on extra assignments.

Step 6:

Let your employer know the career path you desire, and let them help you in achieving your career goals.